New initiative to reduce healthcare associated infections through the introduction of ICNet automated surveillance and case management system at Greifswald University Hospital and the German regional HICARE group.
Greifswald University Hospital in Germany, founded in 1456 and one of Europe’s oldest hospitals, has joined a global group of elite healthcare organisations, delivering best practice for infection prevention and control, through the installation of ICNet™ software, an automated case management and surveillance system designed specifically to help reduce HCAI’s (Healthcare Associated Infections).
Through the strength of the HICARE initiative Greifswald University Hospital will become the first in Germany who can expect to see a positive reduction of HCAIs through the installation of ICNet™. Through integrating this intelligent web-based surveillance system in their hospitals, the group will identify issues quickly and reliably which in turn improves patient safety, saves time on administration activities, and allows the teams to focus on delivering excellent patient care rather than fighting preventable infections. Since using ICNet organisations have seen a reduction in HAI rates, which is quite significant particularly when considering the antibiotic resistant organisms that are emerging.
As Dr. Nils-Olaf Hübner, scientific coordinator of HICARE explains, “Integrating the ICNet solution into our HICARE project will help us to improve identification and tracking of MRO infections. The more we know, the better we can react."
At Greifswald University Hospital, and at the partnered community health centre Kreiskrankenhaus Wolgast, the ICNet infection surveillance system brings together all of the patient’s microbiology and surgery data with patient demographics and ward status, linking key information into one real-time system which is required for proactive infection prevention activities. The software also exports key advice to the Greifswald electronic patient record system, helping to engage all Clinicians in the hospital network in the role of infection prevention. ICNet can be accessed by authorized Infection Control practitioners in any ward, at any time. The system allows flexibility for the individual, as well as analysis of the hospital as a whole.
According to Patrick Beyer, Chief Executive Officer at ICNet “Greifswald University and HICARE are leading the way by providing a proactive infection prevention solution in a cost-effective manner, helping hospitals in Germany to be the safest possible environments for patients. Not only does this surveillance and reporting system assist with reducing the likelihood of infection, it also ensures that patients with infections receive the correct care and treatment at the right time."